Hurricanes second half surge beats Chiefs

The Hurricanes won their first match of the 2011 Super rugby season when they beat the Chiefs 29-26 in Wellington.

The Chiefs led for much of the match but the Hurricanes lifted their game in the final quarter and snatched the lead.

Tim Nanai-Williams scored a late unconverted try to seal a losing bonus point for the Chiefs.

In a frantic closing 20 minutes, a dubious try to replacement Hurricanes halfback
Tyson Keats and two penalties to substitute flyhalf Dan Kirkpatrick sealed a
dramatic comeback after the Chiefs led 18-10 at one stage.

The bottom two sides in the New Zealand conference were both desperate for
a win to improve their standing on the ladder and this was evident by the pace
of the game as they attacked from the off.

The Chiefs won the try count three to two but were punished for repeated infringments
-- which Hurricanes kickers Aaron Cruden and Kirkpatrick feasted on.

The Hurricanes were particularly fired up in their first game for three weeks
after losing their opener to the Highlanders and then missing the next fortnight
because of the Christchurch earthquake and a bye.

"It's been pretty frustrating watching it. It's like being invited back
to a party after being kicked out," said Hurricanes captain Andrew Hore.

Chiefs fly-half Stephen Donald, fighting for survival as the All Blacks back-up
to Dan Carter, relished the opportunity to mark Aaron Cruden and expose the
defensive frailties of his leading rival.

He was rewarded with the opening try of the match from a double Cruden error
when the Hurricanes pivot had a clearing kick charged down and Donald ran the
ball back at his opposite number and crashed through his tackle to score.

Donald landed the conversion and two penalties to have the Chiefs ahead 13-10
at halftime with the Hurricanes' points coming from a try by prop John Schwalger
who charged over from close range while Cruden landed the conversion and a penalty.

The Chiefs made a perfect start to the second half when Scott Waldrom won intercept
ball, Tana Umaga made the break which took play up to the line and Waldrom was
on hand again to score.

Cruden responded with two penalties for the Hurricanes and the match went into
the final quarter with the Chiefs marginally ahead at 18-16.

The Hurricanes hit the front when Andre Taylor, earning a start as replacement
for the injured Hosea Gear and proving to be the star of the home side, took
play up to the Chiefs line where Keats dived towards the line.

The television match official ruled there was no reason why a try could not
be awarded although replays appeared to indicate Keats had grounded the ball
short of the line.

Replacement flyhalf Dan Kirkpatrick landed the conversion from wide out and
added a penalty to put the Hurricanes ahead by eight meaning the Chiefs would
have to score at least once for a bonus point and twice to win.

When Mike Delaney closed the gap to five points with a penalty, Kirkpatrick
immediately replied with his second to restore the eight-point margin.

Fullback Tim Nanai-Williams then scored for the Chiefs with two minutes remaining
but the visitors were unable to get up again before the final whistle.